Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but airports, hotels, cafés and shared spaces are networks you do not control. A reputable VPN can add protection by encrypting traffic between your device and the VPN server, making it harder for other parties on the local network to inspect that traffic.
That does not make public Wi-Fi completely safe. A VPN cannot protect you from every phishing page, malicious download, compromised account or unsafe device, and HTTPS remains important.
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What are the risks of public Wi-Fi?
The Australian Cyber Security Centre warns that public hotspots can be open or unsecured and that fake hotspots can imitate legitimate network names. Its guidance recommends checking the hotspot name with the venue, disabling automatic connection, choosing password-protected networks where possible, forgetting the network afterwards and avoiding sensitive activity when you are unsure about the connection.
The key point is not that every café or airport network is dangerous. It is that you usually have less control and less visibility than you do on your own home or mobile connection.
What a VPN can protect
- Traffic travelling between your device and the VPN server is encrypted.
- Other users on the same local network have less visibility into your connection.
- Destination services see the VPN server’s public IP rather than your usual public IP.
- A kill switch can help prevent traffic from falling back to the normal connection if the VPN disconnects, depending on app settings and platform support.
What a VPN cannot protect
- It cannot make a malicious website trustworthy.
- It cannot stop you entering a password into a phishing page.
- It does not replace software updates, antivirus tools, strong passwords or multi-factor authentication.
- It does not make you anonymous online.
- It cannot guarantee that a public hotspot itself is legitimate.
Why HTTPS still matters
HTTPS encrypts data between your browser and the website. The Australian Cyber Security Centre specifically recommends looking for HTTPS and paying attention to browser warnings. A VPN and HTTPS protect different parts of the connection, so using a VPN is not a reason to ignore certificate errors or insecure pages.
What to look for in a VPN for public Wi-Fi
- Reliable apps: You want software you can turn on before opening sensitive apps.
- Kill switch: Useful if you want traffic to stop when the VPN connection unexpectedly drops.
- Clear privacy information: The VPN provider itself handles your traffic after it leaves the encrypted tunnel, so its policies matter.
- Support for your devices: Check your phone, laptop and tablet rather than assuming every platform has the same features.
- Sensible server selection: A nearby server can reduce unnecessary routing distance, although actual performance varies.
Where NordVPN fits
NordVPN currently supports major desktop and mobile platforms and up to 10 simultaneous connections. Its support documentation lists an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection and several VPN protocols, along with additional privacy and security features that vary by platform.
That makes it a practical paid option for people who frequently use public networks across multiple devices. It is not automatically the right choice for everyone: someone who rarely uses public Wi-Fi may not get enough value from an ongoing paid plan.
For a broader provider-level buying guide, see our best VPN Australia guide.
A safer public Wi-Fi routine
- Confirm the network name with venue staff.
- Turn off automatic connection to open networks.
- Use mobile data or a personal hotspot when practical.
- If you must use shared Wi-Fi, connect the VPN before accessing sensitive services.
- Use HTTPS and stop if the browser shows a certificate or security warning.
- Keep file sharing off and software updated.
- Forget the public network when finished.
Bottom line
The best VPN for public Wi-Fi is one that you will actually keep installed, updated and switched on when needed. NordVPN is a strong practical fit for frequent travellers and mobile workers, but a VPN is only one layer of protection. Trusted networks, HTTPS, software updates and careful account security remain essential.
Sources
Safety guidance was checked against the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s current public Wi-Fi guidance. NordVPN feature and platform details were checked against current NordVPN support documentation.